scope:

a. NCOs are the "backbone of the Army." Ours is a professional corps that reflects America's diversity and represents the time-honored values that built our Nation-hard work, duty, selflessness, determination, honor, and compassion. Army NCOs represent a true competitive advantage. This advantage is a result of the Army's institutional commitment to develop a professional corps of NCOs and a capacity to learn faster and adapt more quickly than its adversaries. The Army's leader development imperatives guide principles that inform policy and actions to develop leaders with the required qualities and enduring leader characteristics. These guiding principles remain constant from initial service affiliation through separation or retirement. They foster an environment to develop NCOs during their careers through progressive and sequential processes which incorporate training, education, and experiences across learning domains of institutional, operational, and self-development. The Army's strategies build on the Army's experiences since the end of the Cold War through the early conflicts of the 21st century.

b. Officers and noncommissioned officers are encouraged to read both DA Pam 600-25 and Smartbook DA Pam 600- 25, regardless of branch, functional area (FA), military occupational specialty (MOS), or career field held. Unique and valuable lessons in Army culture and noncommissioned officer professional development are found in every section. For specific information on officer branches, the Smartbook DA Pam 600-3 is available online at https://www.milsuite.mil/book/groups/smartbook-da-pam-600-3/overview.